Living lab for precision dairy health technologies: understanding and evaluating user engagement

Reference

MED1622

Closing Date

Monday, 11th July 2022

Department

Veterinary Medicine & Science

Project title: Living lab for precision dairy health technologies: understanding and evaluating user engagement 

Principal supervisor: Prof Jasmeet Kaler

Other SVMS supervisors: Dr. Jorge Vazquez Diosdado, Dr. Peter Down

Industry supervisor: Peter Curtis 

Project description:

This exciting opportunity is based within the Ruminant Population Health group at the School of Veterinary Medicine and Science which conducts cutting-edge research into the health and welfare of UK cattle and sheep, and is a founder member of the national ‘Centre for Innovation Excellence in Livestock’ (CIEL) with recently opened ‘Centre for Dairy Science Innovation’. 

The industry funder and partner is Chordata (https://www.chordatainsight.com/about.html) a technology company that has developed an implantable microchip and wearable solution, which will be the first sensor technology to introduce metabolic marker analysis through real time remote monitoring.

One crucial aspect of a successful technological innovation is understanding and evaluating stakeholders needs. Living Labs methodologies include co-creation of innovations in real-world contexts, by involving multiple stakeholders, with the objective of generating sustainable value for all stakeholders. To date the use of these methodologies in the co-creation of precision livestock technologies is still limited.

The aim of this PhD is to understand and evaluate dairy stakeholders needs for the innovative Chordata technology using the Living Lab FormIT methodology which is grounded in the theoretical streams of Soft Systems Thinking (Checkland and Scholes 1990), Appreciative Inquiry (Cooperrider and Avital 2004;), and NeedFinding (Patnaik and Becker 1999).

The project includes three phases: 1) generate needs, 2) evaluate concept and 3) innovation testing. In the first phase using both quantitative and qualitative methods we will identify current systems strengths and unmet needs by using narratives of both “what is” and “what might be” with stakeholders. During the second phase the Chordata concept will be presented to users and comparisons will be made against the need phase. In the third phase, through experimental testing, different algorithm outputs (e.g. alerts, uncertainty) will be generated and presented to farmers to test how these impact user choice.  

The project will be based at the School of Veterinary Science where the student will benefit from interaction with a thriving community of postgraduate students and postdocs. 

Further information and Application

This PhD is interdisciplinary in nature and as such would suit highly motivated applicants from range of scientific backgrounds.  Candidates with 2.1 undergraduate degrees in veterinary or animal science, psychology or ergonomics or with MSc’s in a relevant subject e.g. human computer interaction or psychology, is desirable.

Informal enquiries may be addressed to the principal supervisor Prof Jasmeet Kaler (https://www.kaler-researchgroup.co.uk/); [email protected]

Candidates should apply online http://www.nottingham.ac.uk/pgstudy/how-to-apply/apply-online.aspx and include a CV.  When completing the online application form, please ensure that you state that you are applying for a postgraduate position within the School of Veterinary Medicine and Science.

Any queries regarding the application process email: [email protected]

This is a 3 year studentship. The position will receive a tax free stipend per annum £15,609 pa, enhanced supplement for vet graduate (£21,000 pa)

Eligibility for Funding

Only UK resident